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Unofficial until approved by the
Alhambra City Council
MI NUTES
ALHAMBRA CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
March 4, 2025
9 :00 a.m.
R O LL C A L L : A t 9:13 a . m . , on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, t h e A lh a m bra C it y C o u nc il m et in R uth R e e se H a ll of t he A lh a m b r a C iv ic C e n ter L ibr a r y , 1 0 1 So u t h F irst S t r e e t , A lh a m br a , C a lif orn ia.
CITY COUNCIL: P R E S E N T : MAZA, MALONEY, WANG, ANDRADE-STADLER, LEE A B S E N T : NONE
O ff i c i als P rese n t: City Manager Binnquist, Assistant City Manager Garcia, Deputy City Manager Stover, City Attorney Montes, City Clerk Myles, Director of Parks & Recreation Macias, Director of Library Services LohGuan, Director of Public Works/Utilities Ray, Director of Finance Lieu, Director of Human Resources Ko, Director of Community Development Ho, Fire Chief Ragusa, Chief of Police Kennedy, Deputy Director of Public Works/Utilities Ahlen, Manager Analyst Alvarez A lso present w a s F a c ilita to r W illia m R . K e lly , P re s id e n t/C E O o f K e lly A s s o c ia te s M a n a g e m e n t G ro u p CITY CLERK REPORT - NOTICE NO. N2M 2 5- 23
The City Clerk hereby report ed that she duly gave notice of the Special Meeting of the City Council being held this morning pursuant to the order of the Mayor and in accordance with Section 54956 of the Government Code of the State of California.
1 . CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION – F2M2 5- 28 The City Council, City Manager, Department Heads and Facilitator William R. Kelly, President/CEO of Kelly Associates Management Group , held a strategic planning session . The strategic planning session included , but was not limited to , a discussion of the Councilmembers ’ SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis Survey results; and, setting tentative goal definitions and priorities.
Public Comment :
1) Victor DORADO , 901 Novelda Rd., expressed concerns regarding recent legislation at the State level which would usurp the City ’s authority. He urged Council to consider supporting other cities opposing bill SB677. He continued to discuss the need for greater transparency for new development projects on the City ’s website and urged resistance to development projects that would go against the community ’s desires or the preservation of historic buildings . 2) Lewis McCAMMON , 105 N. Cordova St., discussed the Community Opinion survey from True North facilitating the development of affordable housing. He went on to discuss the services offered by the Housing Rights Center and suggested that the City work with another agency to provide information to tenants and landlords in a timelier manner . 3) Alison MORENA, Joanna VARGAS & Jonthan GUTIERREZ , representing the Alhambra Downtown Business Association , shared the progress of the business district over the last four years and the many programs developed by the Chamber of Commerce. They also provided 2 3-4-25
updates as to new businesses coming to Alhambra and made suggestions for improvements such as updated lighting infrastructure, clearer way finder signs, expanded Tree Lighting Ceremony event, greater environmental sustainability measures, and for the City to work closely with the business community .
4) Shirley TATSUNO , 1408 S. Fifth St., expressed concern regarding recent business closures and suggested new businesses to attract to Alhambra such as Trader Joe ’s and Daiso. She also discussed the lack of foot traffic on the east side of Main Street, the recent craft fair event , and the incoming Dollar Tree store and the public art pieces . 5) John BWARIE , CEO of the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce, suggested the City focus on Economic Development, encouraged bold actions, and stated that this was an opportunity to move the City forward in a new directio n . He suggested that the City work towards becoming one of the most business friendly cities in the San Gabriel Valley. He further suggested micro grant programs for business improvements, business relief fund, shop local programs, business recognition programs , an Economic Development Committee within the City Council, and a business accelerator program.
Discussion : Mr. KELLY began the review of the most current 2024 Strategic Plan document, last updated and received by the City Council on January 27, 2025 and stated that there were no suggestions to change goals 1 – 6, and proceeded to discuss each Goal with Council. Mr. KELLY first led discussion regarding Goal 1 – Enhance Public Safety.
Councilmember WANG discussed Goal 1.2 and made suggestions to expand the Neighborhood Watch program and emergency preparedness programs. Councilmember ANDRADE-STADLER also spoke regarding the importance of a Neighborhood Watch program and supported Ms. Wang ’s comments. Vice Mayor MALONEY expressed his belief that the community wanted to go beyond the Neighborhood Watch program to address general public safety issues within the community such as emergency preparedness. He stated that there needed to be more discussion as to how to implement such a program and the City ’s level of involvement. Mayor LEE suggested that the Neighborhood Watch program continue to oversee public safety and that there be a separate video educational program for the public regarding emergency preparedness. She suggested a continuation of CERT training programs. Ms. LEE went on to discuss emergency preparedness.
Councilmember MAZA discussed Objective 1.1 regarding recruitment and maintaining a competitive Police Department. Mr. MALONEY and City Manager BINNQUIST discussed the ongoing goal in terms of recruiting and maintaining quality public safety in general. Ms.
BINNQUIST further discussed the challenges involved in recruitment and maintaining both Police and Fire staff. Mr. KELLY suggested removing this Objective due to its constant ongoing nature as an integral part of continued operation as well as the constant challenges faced by all cities. Objective 1.1 was removed from the Strategic Plan Goal #1.
Council continued with the Objectives under Goal 2 – Improve Infrastructure and Mobility. Ms.
ANDRADE-STADLER discussed Objective 2.1 and suggested free service for students as well as expanding routes to reach the parks and the Community Center. Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER went on to review several Objectives under Goal 2 including 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, and
2.12. For Objective 2.6, she suggested moving funds to other projects since the funding for the Bike/Ped Plan was pending. For Objective 2.8, she suggested pursing land use for more greenspace rather than new housing development. For Objective 2.11, she suggested increased priority for this project and continued to speak to the importance of traffic calming policies . Mr. KELLY and Ms. BINNQUIST provided a status update for Objective 2.11.
Regarding Objective 2.1, Ms. WANG made suggestions for expanding the ACT Bus service to the south side of the City and made suggestions for providing more specific metrics for 3 3-4-25
measuring success in accomplishing the Strategic Plan Goals . Ms. WANG went on to discuss her concerns regarding delays to Objective 2.4 and rising construction costs, expanding Objective 2.7 to include earthquake retrofitting of critical City facilities, and agreed with Ms.
Andrade-Stadler ’s support on Objective 2.11.
Mr. MALONEY suggesting reviewing items which had significant progress made and removing those from the Strategic Plan. Mr. MALONEY, Mr. KELLY, and Ms. BINNQUIST discussed progress on Objectives 2.2 and 2.3. Mr. MALONEY went on to discuss progress on Objective
2.4, Objective 2.5, and Objective 2.6 with Ms. BINNQUIST . Mr. MALONEY supported Ms.
Wang ’s suggestions regarding Objective 2.7, suggested pursuing more pocket parks under Objective 2.8, and suggested seeking assistance from agencies such as the Wildlife Conservation Board for Objective 2.9. Mr. MALONEY went on to discuss Objective 2.10 and suggested creating more cohesive branding of City signage. Mr. KELLY received consensus from Council to incorporate Mr. Maloney ’s suggestions for Objective 2.10.
Mr. MAZA suggested adding an Objective to clean and maintain City parking structures and sidewalks in Downtown Alhambra and Ms. BINNQUIST further discussed the City ’s current practices. Mr. MALONEY and Ms. BINNQUIST discussed the assessment of Downtown Alhambra and other business district assessments. Ms. WANG supported the additional Objective and suggested expanding it to Valley Boulevard. Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER supported the suggestion.
Ms. LEE and Ms. BINNQUIST discussed Objective 2.1 to includ e the Senior Ride service in the consultant ’s review. Ms. LEE also discussed the progress on other Objectives, urged greater construction of Bus shelters, discussed Objective 2.7 with Ms. BINNQUIST, supported more pocket parks under Objective 2.8 as well as encouraging business developments to include more greenspace, and suggested review of other areas for High Visibility Crosswalks in the City.
RECESS & RECONVENE : Mayor LEE called for a brief recess at 10:45 a.m. and the meeting resumed with all Councilmembers present at 10:55 a.m.
Mr. KELLY requested Council comment on any additions under Goal 3 – Create Strong Financial Base and Strong Economic Base. Ms. LEE, Ms. BINNQUIST and Mr. KELLY discussed Objective 3.1. Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER suggested changing Objective 3.4 to 30% and discussed Objective 3.5 and utilizing industrial areas for manufacturing. Ms. WANG discussed Objective 3.3 and suggested creating infographics to help residents understand the process. She also discussed Objective 3.5 and suggested better ways to define the outcome and track progress. She echoed Mr. Maloney ’s suggestions to remove items from the Strategic Plan, and further suggested that those items be reclassified as “Achievement Goals. ” Ms.
ANDRADE-STADLER made further suggestions under Objective 3.7 regarding incentives to businesses which have left the City to return to vacant properties. Mr. MALONEY discussed progress on Objective 3.5 with Ms. BINNQUIST, discussed vacant properties on Chapel to Almansor as well as other areas on Valley Blvd., expanding the business assessment area, using the plans for East Main Street as a model for Valley Blvd., and discussed Objective 3.10 with Ms. BINNQUIST and Mr. KELLY. Council further discussed Objective 3.10 as it related to
3.4 with Ms. BINNQUIST. Ms. LEE supported using City reserves to pay down pension liability.
Council agreed to leave the Objectives on the Strategic Plan.
Ms. LEE suggested an additional Objective for a Shop Local Program. Council agreed with the addition. Mr. MAZA supported Ms. Wang and Ms. Andrade-Stadler ’s suggestions and discussed them. Mr. MAZA suggested the removal of Objective 3.7 and 3.9. Mr. MALONEY suggested consolidating the Objectives . Ms. BINNQUIST stated that staff would address 4 3-4-25
comments and provide more information.
Council discussed Objectives under Goal 4 – Enhance Transparency and Open Governance.
Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER supported Objective 4.2. Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER, Ms.
BINNQUIST, and City Attorney MONTES discussed consistent rules of decorum and operation for all Board and Commissions.
Regarding transparency and assisting the public who were not a part of social media, Ms.
LEE discussed the use of digital billboards at major intersections to provide information to residents. Ms. WANG and Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER also discussed Ms. Lee ’s suggestion.
Mr. MALONEY did not fully support Ms. Lee ’s suggestion, but provided additional suggestions for digital monitors at public locations. Ms. WANG supported the idea of more outreach and suggested more physical bulletin boards at public locations to post city flyers at a lower cost than digital boards. Mr. KELLY and Ms. LEE discussed where to add the suggestion under the Strategic Plan. Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER and Mr. MAZA discussed the possibility of adding more information or a community calendar to the Around Alhambra. Mr. MAZA discussed staff assisting and educating senior citizen residents to use digital boards or interactive boards. Mr.
MAZA continued to discuss the digital board at Joslyn Center.
Mr. MALONEY suggested revisiting the idea of creating an Alhambra app to help residents access information, submit forms, and see a Community Calendar. Ms. WANG supported Mr.
Maloney ’s suggestion and further suggested staff review apps created by other cities for resident use as well as internal use to provide updates to residents. Mr. MALONEY further made suggestions for better informational materials such as providing materials in multiple languages.
Mr. KELLY moved on to Goal 5, and Mr. MALONEY suggested combining 5.1 and 5.3. Ms.
BINNQUIST provided an update to the progress on the EV Charging Stations. Ms. WANG suggested creat ing more EV Charging stations in business corridors to encourage economic development.
Mr. KELLY went on to Goal 6. Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER and Ms. BINNQUIST discussed the removal of Objectives 6.4, 6.5, and 6.7. Ms. BINNQUIST stated regarding Objective 6.8 that staff intended to present information regarding a TOT tax . Ms. ANDRADE-STADLER discussed Objective 6.2 with Ms. BINNQUIST regarding services provided by the Housing Rights Center. Mr. MAZA also discussed the importance of Objective 6.2. Mr. MAZA went on to discuss Objective 6.1
Mr. KELLY and Ms. BINNQUIST stated that staff would return with a summation of comments made at this session and a draft 2025 Strategic Plan for Council ’s review at a special meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
ADJOURNMENT: At 11:56 a.m., Mayor LEE adjourned the meeting .
LAUREN MYLES, CMC
CITY CLERK
by
BRIANNA LAMB MCCARTHY
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK